For the fourth consecutive year, Charleston ranked No. 1 on the Southern Living South's Best 2020 list of Top Cities in the South. Southern Living today announced the winners of its fourth annual South's Best Awards, recognizing readers’ favorite Southern destinations and experiences, covering everything from hotels and restaurants to cities, small towns, and shopping.
“From the architecture to the arts, this coastal gem continues to charm locals,” Southern Living wrote about The Holy City. “It offers a warm welcome, inviting visitors from across the country and around the world to the South Carolina coast to experience life in Charleston.”
In total, Charleston garnered 14 rankings across top ten lists, including No. 1 Best New Hotel for The Dewberry and No. 2 Best Food City.
Southern Living's 2020 South’s Best List of Top 10 Cities
- Charleston, SC
- Savannah, GA
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- Austin, TX
- Asheville, NC
- Alexandria, VA
- Atlanta, GA
- Richmond, VA
- Tallahassee, FL
Southern Living's 2020 South’s Best Awards – Charleston’s rankings across categories:
Charleston No. 1 Rankings
- #1 Best City Overall
- #1 Best New Hotel: The Dewberry
- #1 Best BBQ Joint in South Carolina: Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ
Charleston No. 2 Rankings
- #2 Best Food City
- #2 Best New Restaurant: Melfi's
- #2 Best Classic Restaurant: FIG
- #2 Best Local Restaurant: The Grocery
- #2 Best Bar: The Living Room at The Dewberry
Charleston Rankings in the Top 10
- #3 Best Garden Shops: Abide A While Garden Boutique (Mt. Pleasant)
- #4 Best New Hotel: Hotel Bennett
- #4 Best Dive Bar: The Griffon
- #5 Neighborhood: Hampton Park Terrace
- #5 Bookstore: Blue Bicycle Books
- #7 Best Classic Restaurant: Bertha's Kitchen
- #8 Best Boutique: Hampden
- #9 Best BBQ Joint: Home Team BBQ
The Southern Living South's Best 2020 survey results are available now at https://www.southernliving.com/souths-best, and in the April issue of Southern Living, on sale March 20th.
